The poster focused in the social and environmental effects that the extractive activities of mining (iron, coal and gold) are causing in those South American countries, and its relation with the global economic trends since mining is an important sector for the economic development of these countries. The main social impacts are on human health (Itabirá, Brazil and Páramo de Rabanal, Colombia) and at the same time provision of environmental services and biodiversity hotspot areas are being affected (ConceiÇao de Mato Dentro and Minas Gerais, Brazil, and Páramo de Santurbán, Colombia).

The Mountain Pavilion was an opportunity for an intensive exchange and dialogue among many different stakeholders, where participants had a space to reinforce the voice of inhabitants of mountain regions, emphasizing the challenges faced by mountain environments as well as the opportunities to contribute to a more sustainable future. The poster was written by Fernando Goulart and Claudia Múnera.

(Claudia Múnera is CASSE’s Colombian Chapter Director and member of the IUCN-CEESP).